Self-adjusting clamping device



(No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 1. G. W. ZEI-GLER.

SELF ADJUSTiNG GLAMPING DEVICE. No. 318,338. Patented May-19, 1885.

" Afforne 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

G. W. ZEIGLBR SELF ADJUSTING GLAMPING DEVICE.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

G.-W. ZEIG'LE R. v $ELP ADJUSTING OLAMPING DEVICE. v No. 318,338. Patented May 19, 1.885.

WITNESSES UNIT D STATES 'QFFICE.

GEORGE W. ZEIGLER, or wasrrnve'ron, ilQISTRIOT or COLUMBIA.

saLF-A-oio strillne CLAMLPV-INIG' DEVICE.

srE-cirrceirrorq forming part. orn lzters Patent No. 318,338, dated ma 19, 1885.

" Application filed February 24, (No time.)

To all whom itvnay concern:

Be it known that I, GEORG W: ZEIGLER, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Adjusting Clamping Devices; and I do hereby declare that the following is, a full, clear, and exact description of V the'invention, which will enable others skilled in; the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has relation to self tightening and clamping devices for the supportinglegs of trestles, benches, platforms, stages, I counters, racks for trellising, and the like, as well as for many other purposes to which'it is I applicable. 7 j 1 The invention consists of a single piece of metal-malleable preferredwhich maybe cast in the usual manner, and formed with an outwardly-projecting box or loop into which the leg-piece isinserted, and also with an elongated bearing having side legs projecting up from the sides of the bearing,and also having side strengthening-flanges, which do not impinge against the side of the leg. The leg has in this way seven independent bearings, whereby vertical and horizontal sh akin g movement is prevented, The sides of the loop or box are re-enforced with ribs at thecorners, or at such points where the greatest strain is exerted. Thisleg-support has also two lateral wing projections supported by bracket-like flange-angles integral with the casting. These wings are about equidistant from the box into which the leg is inserted, and extend a considerable distance each side of the box, in order to give a wider and an enlarged bearing to the beam. These wings in turn have a flat bearing-surface and upturned lugs at right angles with thelater-described bearings,which lugs may extend to the top of the casting to form braces, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described.

The present invention is an improvement on the subject-matter described and shown in aplication filed by me February 4, 1885, Serial 0. 154,942, which I do not herein claim.

Figure 1 in the drawings represents a front elevation, the'claniping leg-holdin device infposition, clearly showing the beam resting on the wing-brackets in thebearings formed on said wings, the leg inserted in theloop or box. 'Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the clamping" device, the legs being at an inclination.

Fig. 3 shows the clamping device adapted to a straight leg, such as would support aplatform near the wall of a building, in connection with the inclined leg, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. Fig.4 shows an end elevation, partly in sectiomltaken'on the line a; as, Fig. 1; Fig. I 5, a detached view of the metal fastening or clamping device complete. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of' the device, to moreclearly illustrate all its parts; Fig. 7, a side view 01 the clamp, for more particularly showing the wing-bracket having the metal extending from greatly to the strength of the device.

II have stated that when the leg is inserted into the box or' loop it impinges against the beam, forming'a wedge-like joint. Thus it will be seen that the leg presses against the side of the beam and the beam against the lugs f, which, if not tied or braced, would yield to the pressure, and hence the necessity of the tie-extension kfor light work. The inner portion of the taper of the leg' is shown extending beyond theeasting, so that it bears against the bean Fig. 8 shows a detached view in perspective of the portion of the leg-that enters. the box or loopa, clearly showing the grooves for the lug on the device on the opposite side of the beam.

The top of the leg is designed to project through the box, and has a groove, m, into which the metal fits, and thus forms a tie or lock, which retains the leg in position, even if it did not impinge against the side of the beam. This clamping leg support and fastening will securely hold the various portions of a trestle or platform together without bolts, screws, or nails. It is preferable, however, for stationarypurposes, to use lag-screws; but for temporary structures the parts are securely held by the device itself, as the upper portion. of the leg'serves the purpose of F a wedge against the beam,which forces the beams against the upturned lugs on the wings and the leg against the bearing in the box. Thus the whole structure is securely held together,

and in such manner that as the -weightbeg comes greater the joints will become more firm.

Referring to the drawings flettefilA is the clamping device; B, the beam; and C is the leg. a is the looprorbox;.b,.the; lower bearing'fo'r the leg, and c the side lug. D D are the bracket-wings, havingthe bearings d, and fthe upturned lugs on said bearings, g

of the lug f. z are the strengthening-ribs. By this construction the metal is nursed in the position where the greatest strain usually takes-place, and by suchdistribution of the iron a small quantity ismade to withstand the same pressure as a larger quantity in the usualway, jj are oblongholesfor screws or bolts, when such are. required, so 'that' when the-legs move up or down theyare not bound, i

but have room for longitudinal motion.

, vide grooves, so that whena leg is placed' on the opposite side of the beam the lug f will snugly fitinto said groove without further.

trouble.-

All these parts are readily detachable and ages for merchandise and sold as'an article of trade, the same as other articles of hardware.

Thezuses to which my clamping and leg- I supporting device may be applied are too beams maybe of any thickness. When tres- ,tles=o f"d;ifi"erent heights are required, such as for plastering, house-decorations, and for double rows of racks in stores, the shorter legs may be'detached and replaced by longer ones to suit, so that mechanics desiring different height trestles would have'to only carry with them different lengths of legs.

The side strengtheningflanges are made flaring fontwo purposes, first, it is well known that a wabbling motion is .less liable when tight-fitting bearings are alternately arranged 'tha'nwhen the bearing is a solid one, hence these hearings are placed at intervals which give the required bearing-surfaces without the extra weight of metal; secondly, as the whole weight is on the box and transmitted to the leg, flange'g fiares outwardly so as to form a bracetlo th'e box, 'so that when the weight is transferred to the metal piece or de- II vice all its various parts, although in a single piece, cooperate to distribute said weight to all its parts. v I

Modifications of this invention may be'made,

and of various design, without departing from the spirit thereof. I

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaimis- .1- l.-As an article of manufacture, a'com- 'ing of the box, 'the'bearings, and the extended bracket-supports, the latter having upturned stay or tie lugs, as described. I Y

2. A'combined'clamp and leg-support hav;

.ing the top and bottom bearings, no, the side or binding lugs, c c, the'strengthening-flange g, the box a, and the bracket-wing supports A, all'cast in the same piece, substantially as described. I

I bined clamping device and support consist- The portion of'the leg 0 which enters the loop or box a is tapering or wedge shape, so that the further'it slides up the tighter it becomes. Upon the inner face of the leg I prov 9 3, The combination of a clamping device. having front and back bearings,-loopor box 

